twowheeledwriter Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Like many before me, I have lurked on Basschat for a while, enjoying the informative and general good-natured ambiance of the place. I have been a guitarist for 30 years, but six months ago I agreed to fill the role of bassist in a covers band. This meant pressing into action my Quest Atak 1B bought from the proceeds of a two-week hop picking jaunt in 1986. And, actually, it's been a lot of fun - more fun that I had playing the guitar in a couple of bands in my youth. I hadn't ever played much bass outside of my bedroom and really only purchased it to occasionally fill a track on my four-track cassette recorder. From this forum, I've learnt that my first electric guitar, a Westone Concord II, is a not-so-distant cousin of the Quest Atak 1B - both appear to be products of Matsumoku. The Atak 1B sounds decent (to my novice bass playing ears) through my newly-acquired Laney RB4 - it mixes well with the two guitars and drums of the band. Still, I expect I'll be expanding my collection of basses (by 100%) in due course. There seems to be some sort of addictively infectious effect from hanging around here admiring other people's gear. [attachment=39040:Quest_Atak_1B.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatEric Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Bonjour. Spotted your intro and thought I would be the first to welcome you on board. Great looking bass, very much of it's period - So 80's!! All the best from Blighty. Cheers. Flat Eric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Welcome! Not seen a bass like that before, very interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Welcome & echoing what Telebass said that is a great looking bass. Very unique! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twowheeledwriter Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 FlatEric, Telebass & BurritoBass: Thanks for the kind words. To be honest, the look of the bass was one of the main factors that led me to buy it. I think I paid about 120 pounds for it in 1986 and I don't remember having a whole of lot of choice at that price in Rose Morris on Denmark Street(?), (London). But, it sounded good and now sounds even better through an appropriate amplifier. As for now, I am slightly embarrassed by the look! However, I am convinced that a decent, basic bass such as this will sound good if well set up and played competently - a great bass doesn't make up for lack of talent. I have found very little information on the Web about Quest basses and guitars. And I haven't come across anyone on Basschat who has admitted to having one. Any owners or former owners out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Nice looking bass you have there - There are plenty of "Jap-Crap" aficionados around these parts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twowheeledwriter Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='697864' date='Jan 1 2010, 01:34 PM']Nice looking bass you have there - There are plenty of "Jap-Crap" aficionados around these parts! [/quote] That's a term of affection, right? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 [quote name='twowheeledwriter' post='698339' date='Jan 1 2010, 08:31 PM']That's a term of affection, right? Cheers![/quote] Generally, yes - wear your JapCrap with pride! Found this on the Matsumoku website: [url="http://www.matsumoku.org/models/vantage/catalogs/atak-manhattan/pg5.html"]http://www.matsumoku.org/models/vantage/ca...hattan/pg5.html[/url] Seems that Quest was a sub-brand of Vantage who made some very fine instruments indeed. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twowheeledwriter Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 [quote name='Bloodaxe' post='698488' date='Jan 2 2010, 01:28 AM']Generally, yes - wear your JapCrap with pride! Found this on the Matsumoku website: [url="http://www.matsumoku.org/models/vantage/catalogs/atak-manhattan/pg5.html"]http://www.matsumoku.org/models/vantage/ca...hattan/pg5.html[/url] Seems that Quest was a sub-brand of Vantage who made some very fine instruments indeed. Pete.[/quote] Thanks for the link Pete. Interesting stuff. Tim (proud JapCrap/Quest owner!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merello Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 [quote name='twowheeledwriter' post='698885' date='Jan 2 2010, 05:39 PM']Thanks for the link Pete. Interesting stuff. Tim (proud JapCrap/Quest owner!)[/quote] Hi there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Hi, from La Creuse. Nice bass (and stonework) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamduceFTW Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Hey guys - long time lurker, first time poster! I'm not a bass expert by any means, one of the reasons I've been too afraid to post before incase I embarrass myself with lack of knowledge! On that subject, I need some help with a possible purchase - have saved up for a new bass for a while (got an ancient DeArmond Jetstar at the moment and it's seen better days) and have found my dream guitar. I love vintage beauties - found a '67 EB3 Gibson and think it looks the bee's knees. I've done some research and the price is a bargain for what it is, but want to know if anyone has actually played one or has any advice before I shell out. Looks are one thing, but how does it sound? The actual model in question is [url="http://justgreatguitars.com/product/Bass/Gibson-EB3-bass-67.aspx"]this one[/url] - any thoughts, positive and especially negative, are greatly appreciated. FYI - planning to play through a Line 6 LD175, do have some budget for a different amp if anyone reckons it'll sound rubbish through this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 [quote name='adamduceFTW' post='704166' date='Jan 7 2010, 01:58 PM']Hey guys - long time lurker, first time poster! I'm not a bass expert by any means, one of the reasons I've been too afraid to post before incase I embarrass myself with lack of knowledge! On that subject, I need some help with a possible purchase - have saved up for a new bass for a while (got an ancient DeArmond Jetstar at the moment and it's seen better days) and have found my dream guitar. I love vintage beauties - found a '67 EB3 Gibson and think it looks the bee's knees. I've done some research and the price is a bargain for what it is, but want to know if anyone has actually played one or has any advice before I shell out. Looks are one thing, but how does it sound? The actual model in question is [url="http://justgreatguitars.com/product/Bass/Gibson-EB3-bass-67.aspx"]this one[/url] - any thoughts, positive and especially negative, are greatly appreciated. FYI - planning to play through a Line 6 LD175, do have some budget for a different amp if anyone reckons it'll sound rubbish through this.[/quote] Greetings & welcome... It's been a very long time (25 years or so) since I played one of these - a friend in Somerset used to have one - but from what I recall of it I felt it was a wonderful bass from the point of view of playability, but not for tone... The thing is that tone is entirely subjective. If I wanted to nail that 60s thumpy/gnarly Jack Bruce/Felix Pappalardi sound I'd be in there like a shot, such a slim, slick neck - so easy to fly around on. If you wanted a more versatile tone, that could be achieved with aftermarket pickups, a new bridge (the original has nylon saddles!), & maybe a pre-amp - but of course that would destroy the originality & on '67 Gibson that'd be a daft thing to do unless you really didn't care a hoot about future value. Only my opinion, Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twowheeledwriter Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 [quote name='leschirons' post='703599' date='Jan 6 2010, 11:38 PM']Hi, from La Creuse. Nice bass (and stonework)[/quote] Ta. The stonework looks good but the dust is a pain! Still, it gives me an excuse to clean the bass. Plus, I bashed it against the wall a couple of times so have taken off three small chunks of the white finish... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapaju Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Salut twowheeledwriter. Tu es d'où exactement dans le Languedoc. A+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twowheeledwriter Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 [quote name='lapaju' post='706382' date='Jan 9 2010, 12:00 PM']Salut twowheeledwriter. Tu es d'où exactement dans le Languedoc. A+[/quote] Pres de Pezenas, dans l'Herault. Il fait froid, mais il n'y a pas de neige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hey Welcome to Basschat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapaju Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 [quote name='twowheeledwriter' post='710203' date='Jan 12 2010, 05:39 PM']Pres de Pezenas, dans l'Herault. Il fait froid, mais il n'y a pas de neige [/quote] Moi je suis à côté de Toulouse et il n'y a plus de neige. Bienvenue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 [quote name='lapaju' post='711165' date='Jan 13 2010, 01:20 PM']Moi je suis à côté de Toulouse et il n'y a plus de neige. Bienvenue.[/quote] Nous avons beaucoup de neige aussi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardd Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Now Then Keith, can we get back to Inglasie, Happy New Year to you and Theresa, hope to see you in the summer, try to get to one of your gigs, I will get Jackie to bring a plastic wine glass. could you email again,as had to wipe the Pc and lost your address,Best Wishes Rich & Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 Welcome on board! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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